As we turn the page on a year that brought lots of change, challenges and uncertainty, we also reflect on all the positive things that we are taking with us into 2021 and all the things we can look forward to.
The cyclo-cross season is currently in full swing in Europe, with four Canadians performing on the world stage at various world cups and races. The track sprint squad is back at the Mattamy National Cycling Centre, while the endurance squads are getting reading for a solid training camp ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games. All over Canada, athletes are finding creative ways to train indoors and outdoors in order to get ready for the 2021 season.
Domestically, Cycling Canada will continue to host weekly rides and races, as well as other challenges throughout the winter on Zwift and other platforms. We are also looking forward to delivering a full calendar of events later this year if public health regulations allow us to do so.
We wish you all a happy New Year & lots of riding in 2021!
UCI CYCLING ESPORTS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Eight Canadian riders took part in the inaugural Esports World Championships which took place on December 9 on the Zwift platform. The men’s squad rode aggressively at the front of the race, earning them the vote for men’s rider of the day, with Matteo Dal-Cin sprinting to 7th place, only a fraction of a second off the podium. Georgia Simmerling was the top finisher in the women’s race, placing 18th.
CYCLO-CROSS SEASON KICKS OFF IN EUROPE
Over the last month, Canadians Maghalie Rochette, Michael van den Ham, Sidney McGill and Ruby West have been competing in European cyclo-cross races with their respective professional teams. Pan American champion Maghalie Rochette kicked off the season with a 7th place at the Boom Telenet Superprestige and a 12th place at Herentals Crosst, while Canadian champion Michael van den Ham obtained his best result ever at a European world cup, finishing 17th at the Dendermonde UCI World Cup.
CYCLING CANADA ANNOUNCES THE RECIPIENTS OF ITS ANNUAL AWARDS
Cycling Canada allocated a total of three awards this year: the Russ Copeland Award for Best Junior Rider of the Year was awarded to Squamishs Teigen Pascual (BMX), the Presidents Trophy for Best Performance in Competition at the World Championships went to C4 para-cyclist and world record holder Kate OBrien (Para-cycling Track World Championships) and the Torchy Peden Award for Provincial Association of the Year was awarded to Quebec (FQSC).
CANADIANS ON THE WORLDTOUR
2021 is going to be an exciting year for Canadians on the WorldTour circuit, with teams Astana-Premier Tech and Israel Start-Up Nation both counting more Canadians than ever before. Israel Start-Up Nation has signed four Canadians to the team, with Olympian Mike Woods joining Guillaume Boivin, James Piccoli and Alex Cataford. Meanwhile, Astana has joined forces with Canadian company Premier Tech and has hired cycling icon Steve Bauer as sports director, while Hugo Houle and Ben Perry will both be riding for the team.
DATES ANNOUNCED FOR 2021 CANADIAN TRACK & CYCLO-CROSS CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Elite, Masters and Para Canadian Track Championships are scheduled to return to the Mattamy National Cycling Centre in Milton, ON, from September 23-26, 2021, while the dates for the U17/Junior Track Championships are still to be confirmed. As for cyclo-cross, the season will kick off on November 27th in Langford, BC with the 2021 Canadian Cyclo-cross Championships, followed by the UCI C2 sanctioned Bear Crossing Grand Prix the next day. Both events will take place at Langfords newly constructed Jordie Lunn Bike Park featuring the nations first full-time purpose-built cyclo-cross course.
WINTER ESPORTS CALENDAR
Over the next four months, Cycling Canada will continue to host weekly rides and races and will give Zwifters the opportunity to ride alongside current and former national team athletes on a bi-weekly basis. Additional races, challenges and courses will be announced later this month. We would like to thank HPL Cycling, Velodonnas Cycling and the OCA who have led this month’s weekly rides. If you haven’t done so already, we ask that you diplease send us your feedback by filling out this survey.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Monday Open Ride
Every Monday January 4 – April 26
Zwift
Tuesday Women’s Ride
Every Tuesday January 5 – April 27
Zwift
Wednesday Race Series
Every Wednesday January 6 – April 28
Zwift
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #5
January 24, 2021
Overijse, Belgium
UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships
January 30-31, 2021
Ostende, Belgium
We are proud to be part of a dynamic and outstanding cycling community whose many achievements and contributions go beyond performances on the bike. In an effort to recognize some of these many noteworthy achievements, Cycling Canada would like to highlight the following individuals and accomplishments:
- On December 27, Paralympians Tristen Chernove & Ross Wilson virtually ascended the height of Mount Everest and raised 2500$ for the Paralympic Foundation of Canada
- After six years as a road pro, Nigel Ellsay has decided to retire in order to focus on his studies and coaching U23 athletes at TaG Cycling
- Canadian Cyclist readers voted for Mike Woods and Leah Kirchmann as top Canadian cyclists of the year, Tristen Chernove and Kate O’Brien as top Canadian para-cyclists of the year, and BMXer Teigen Pascual as best newcomer of 2020
- Simone Boilard successfully underwent surgery for endofibrosis of right legs iliac artery
- Charles-tienne-Chrtien & Tristan Jussaume were confirmed on Aevolo Pro Cycling’s 2021 roster
- Lauriane Genest received the Medal of the National Assembly of Quebec for her excellent cycling results
- Cycling Canada coaches Jenny Trew, Laura Brown, Jeff Ain, Phil Abbott, Guillaume Plourde & Adam Muys came together to discuss our NextGen programs, athlete development & future plans
NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR CYCLING CANADA BOARD POSITION
Cycling Canada has opened the nomination process for one Director-at-Large position on its Board of Directors. Candidates interested in applying are asked to send in their nomination form before January 15th.
Cycling Canada is excited to enter a 2-year partnership with fitness technology company Wahoo Fitness. Through this partnership, Wahoo will provide KICKR smart trainers and ELEMNT GPS bike computers for National Team and Cycling Canada high performance programs.
We are also delighted to welcome Thule and Digirit as official suppliers to the National Team. While Thule will be providing equipment support in key areas of need, Digirit will be once again providing our athletes with industry-leading chainrings to help drive success at the highest level of the sport.
The Shifting Gears blog provides a platform for our staff, athletes, board and community to write about interesting topics and ideas. Last month, Shifting Gears tackled: To What Lengths Would You Go To Give Back, as well as multiple athlete recipes. If you are passionate about cycling and interested in contributing to the blog, please reply to this email.